Entertainments

Looking forward to festivals in 2013

AS we enter 2013, Hannah White looks forward to some of the festival treats to come this year.

* THE line up for Wiltshire Jazz Festival 2013 has been announced, with singer-songwriter Gwyneth Herbert set to headline.

The annual festival, organised by Wiltshire Life magazine, will be held at Snow Hill, Dinton, on Saturday, June 15.

Herbert will headline in her second appearance at the festival, alongside Martin Taylor and Alan Barnes, The Two Minds Big Band, featuring Dave O’Higgins and Pete Wraight, Amy Roberts, Kairos 4tet, Alexander Stewart, Charles Alexander and Andy Robinson, and Misbehavin’.

Gabby Young and Nicola Farnon, both from Wiltshire, are also set to perform as well as Southampton Youth Jazz Orchestra.

The event is on from 1pm to midnight.

* END of the Road Festival 2013 takes place at Larmer Tree Gardens from August 30 to September 1.

Announcing Sigur Rós and Belle and Sebastian as headliners, the festival’s founder Simon Taffe said: “These are two of the most exciting and magical live bands around and we are totally thrilled to have booked them.”

Other acts announced for the line up so far include: Angel Olsen, The Barr Brothers, Damien Jurado, Daughter, Horse Thief, John Murry, King Kahn & The Shrines, Palma Violets, Pokey Lafarge, Serafina Steer, Strand of Oaks and Woodpecker Wooliams.

Winner of Best Small Festival at the 2011 UK Festival Awards, End of the Road offers music as well as art, workshops, comedy, cinema, a woodland library, games, a healing field, and fine food and drinks.

* THE Ageas Salisbury International Arts Festival will take place from May 24 to June 8.

The classical programme will include Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre production of King Lear at Old Wardour Castle, Pinchas Zukerman and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at Salisbury Cathedral, and Opera Project performing Verdi’s La Traviata at Salisbury Playhouse.

The festival will celebrate the vibrant arts of Catalunya and its highlights also include Mark Padmore and Simon Lepper performing Schubert’s song cycle series with Die Wintereisse at Wilton Church, Russian pianist Mikhail Rudy presenting Pictures at an Exhibition and Stravinsky’s Petrushka at Salisbury Playhouse, and Tallis Scholars bringing the theme of metamorphosis to Salisbury Cathedral.

* WOMAD festival will be held at Charlton Park in Malmesbury from July 25 to 28.

WOMAD 2012 was a landmark year for the festival as it celebrated its 30th anniversary with its biggest festival yet, and 2013’s festival promises to be just as good, presenting an eclectic line up.

Director Chris Smith said: “WOMAD 2012 was such a successful event that we expect to sell out of early bird tickets very quickly, especially as WOMAD 2013 is starting to look like yet another fantastic festival.”

As well as music from around the world, the festival includes dance, comedy, arts and workshops.

* LARMER Tree Festival will take place from July 17 to 21, with the line up yet to be announced.

The festival, held in the Larmer Tree Gardens on the Wiltshire and Dorset border, will include more than 100 bands and performers, a comedy club, eight venues, 150 free workshops, street theatre and a carnival.

About 500 early bird tickets have been made available and are already selling fast.